Plaza del Machete

A small square tucked at the foot of the San Miguel church, on the upper of the two levels of the Los Arquillos arcade. The medieval iron grille protecting the niche of the ceremonial sword (machete) is still in place on the back of the church.

A fine spot for a quiet sit-down with a coffee, between the noise of Plaza de la Virgen Blanca below and the busier streets of the old town above.

things to do sight medieval quarter
A story
The square is named after a sword (the 'machete') kept in a niche of the San Miguel church wall, on which newly elected city officials had to swear an oath to defend the rights of the citizens — under threat, in theory, of having it used against them if they broke their word.

Other places in Casco Medieval (Medieval Quarter)